Lot 3310

Description

Sicily, Katane, (c.430-415 B.C.), silver litra (0.68 gm), obv. head of Selinos to left in dotted border, rev. KAT-A-NAI[**W*N], upright winged thunderbolt with two shields flanking the thunderbolt, (cf.S.774, C. Boehringer, 'Kataneische Probleme: silberne kleinstmÅnzen,' Proceedings of the 9th International Numismatic Congress, Series III, Li 6; Mirone 88-90, BMC 40, SNG ANS 1267). Large piece broken off flan, otherwise very fine and a rare issue.

The Sicilian city of Katane (modern Catania) was a Chalkidian colony founded from Naxos in 729 BC. Katane was located midway along the eastern coast of the island at the southern extremity of the slopes of Mount Aetna. Its fertile territory was coveted by neighbouring Syracuse and in 476 BC the Syracusan tyrant Hieron I removed the population of Katane to the inland city of Leontini. Katane was then given the name of Aetna and re-peopled with Syracusan citizens and a group of Dorian mercenaries. On the fall of the Sicilian tyrannies in the late 460s BC, the alien population was expelled and the former inhabitants of Katane returned from exile in Leontini to reclaim their city, which now reverted to its original name. It seems unlikely that any coinage was produced at Katane prior to the events of 476 BC, so any issues bearing the name of the Katanians must postdate the restoration of the original population in 461 BC (courtesy of Nomos).